What are the characteristics of the stories in '2020 best short stories'?

They probably have engaging plots. Since they are short stories, they need to grab the reader's attention quickly. So, there could be unexpected twists and turns, like in a mystery - themed story where the solution is not what you initially expect. In addition, the use of vivid language is common. With limited space, the authors need to create a vivid world. They might use unique descriptions of settings and characters to make them come alive in the reader's mind. This helps to make the short story memorable despite its brevity.

The short stories in 'best 2019 short stories' may also be known for their ability to evoke strong emotions in a limited number of words. They can make you feel joy, sadness, or surprise in just a few pages. Take a story about a child's first encounter with loss. It can be so poignant that it stays with you long after you've finished reading, even though it's a short piece.

They are likely to be very diverse. Some might have strong character development in a short space, like creating a vivid character in just a few pages. For example, a character who goes through a life - changing realization.

Most of the stories in '2022 best short stories' are known for their engaging plots. They start with an interesting hook that grabs the reader's attention right away. Then, there are twists and turns throughout the story that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. The endings are also often thought - provoking, leaving the reader with something to ponder long after they've finished reading.

Many of them are concise yet impactful. They can convey deep emotions and complex ideas in just a few pages.

Well, they are often concise yet full of meaning. They manage to tell a complete story in a short span.

The best short short stories usually have a tight plot. Take 'An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge' for instance. The events are carefully crafted to build suspense and surprise. They also tend to have well - drawn characters despite their brevity. In 'Hills Like White Elephants', the two main characters' personalities and relationship are subtly revealed through their dialogue. Moreover, they can often make a big impact with just a few words, like 'The Lady, or the Tiger?' which leaves you pondering long after reading.

One characteristic is their strong themes. For example, many deal with moral dilemmas like in 'The Lady, or the Tiger?'. They also often have well - developed characters in a short amount of space. Take 'The Gift of the Magi', the two main characters are so vividly portrayed in just a few pages. Another aspect is the use of plot twists. In 'The Monkey's Paw', the unexpected consequences of the wishes create a great plot twist.

Symbolism is a big characteristic. For example, in 'The Scarlet Letter', which may be included in such a collection, the scarlet letter itself is a powerful symbol that represents sin, shame, and at the same time, a form of identity. The stories also usually have complex characters. They are not simply good or bad, but rather a mix of different qualities, like the characters in 'My Kinsman, Major Molineux' who are part of a complex social and moral landscape.

The 10 best short stories often have a unique narrative voice. In 'Hills Like White Elephants', Hemingway's sparse style gives the story a certain tension. They also tend to be very focused. 'The Necklace' focuses on the consequences of one woman's pride and it doesn't deviate from that central idea. Moreover, they can create a strong emotional impact in a short amount of time. 'The Yellow Wallpaper' manages to evoke feelings of claustrophobia and madness in a relatively brief story.